Vanity case



Oef. 8, 1929.' D, A, BRENNAN 1,730,555

VANITY' CASE l Filed June= 16, 1926 im Y my, ww ly www nl@ Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE DANIEL A. BRENNAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS VANITY CASE Application led June 16,

The present invention relates broadly to av vanity or over-night case having a mirror mounted therein, and has particular reference to improvements pertaining to means for tiltably mounting the mirror in the case and for holding the mirror in its dilferent angular positions therein. These mirrors are usually mounted in cover sectionsof the vanity case, and the purpose of tiltably supporting the Ymirror therein is to avoid the necessity of propping the case up at an angle, or of holding it in the hand, vin order to dispose the mirror at the proper angle for convenient use.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide simple and readily operable means for tiltably supporting the mirror within the vanity case, whereby it may be moved to an appropriate angle for use almost instantly, without the necessity of performing numerous releasing and adjusting operations thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tiltable mirror of the type which will be m'oved automatically to a tilted `position by the simple releasing thereof.

AAnother-object is -to provide means which will function normallyto hold the mirror at one particular angle when in use,`bnt which will, nevertheless, permit the mirror to be moved to other angles of inclination, if desired. Y

Other objects pertaining to the details fof these parts, and to the generalre'lat-ion of the entire combination, will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Y f

In the drawings illustrating this embodiment: j

Fig.' 1 is ja perspective View showing the present vanity case withthe 'tiltingvmirror mounted in itsV cover section and withthe mirror shown in one of its tilted positions.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the vanity case, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showingthe mirror in retracted position in full lines and in tilted position in dotted lines.

Fig. 3V is a fragmentary sectional view taken online 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the detent means for limiting the outward'tilting angle of the mirror.

192e. serial No. 116,317.

Fig. l is a perspective view ofthe locking or detent means for holding the mirror in its normal position back in the cover section.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a modified construction.

F 1g. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5, and

F ig. 7 is a fragmentary'view of a modilied form of detent means for holding the mirror in its different positions.

Vanity cases of this kind are usually so constructed that, when in open position, the sections are held substantially at right angles to each other as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

'In the majority of these vanity cases the 65 mirror is fiXedly secured in the cover section, consequently when the sections are in open position, it is diiiicult to use the mirror conveniently, as for example when the case. is resting ona table or in the users'lap, for the 70 y reason that it is necessary either to prop the case at the proper angle or to hold the' case in one hand, in order to' dispose the mirror at theproper angle. Y y

These objections I have overcome by the improved construction which I shall now de scribe. i o

The vanity case proper consists of a receptacle section 11, and a closure section 12, u inthe latter of which sections' the mirror S0 1 3 is pivotally mounted. This latter section 1s of box-like form, comprisingthe back wall 12, the two endwalls l2", and the top and blottomwalls 12Cv and 12d. respectively..V

Referring first to thev embodiment illus. trated 1n Figures 1, 2 and 3, the mirrorl 'is mountedA in a suitable frame 14 along the upper edge ofwhich hinge members 15 are secured. The other leaves of these hinge members are secured to the cover section 12, 9.0 preferably to thel top wall`12c thereof.k The .free lower edge'of the mirror is adapted' to be swung outwardlyv to tilted position through the impetus of a spring 17 reacting between the mirror and the back wall .12a of thercover section. This spring is preferably a leaf spring, having its upper end suitably secured to the cover section and its lower end bearing against the back of the mirror adjacent the lower edge thereof. The rear Aside of the mirror, at the point where the lower end of the leaf spring bears against the same, is heavily shellacked or otherwise protected to prevent scratching of the mirror by the leaf spring.

The mirror is normally held in its retracted position, within the .confines of the cover section 12, by a releasable detent 18 during both the open and closed positions` of the closure .section 12. This detent 18 is illustrated in detail in Fig. l and comprises an attaching portion or base 19, which Yis screwed or otherwise secured to the bottom wall 12d of the cover section. Extending from this attaching base is a spring member comprising a `depressed portion 21 and a downwardly inclined extending end portion 22.. l/Vhen the mirror is pushed back into its retracted position within the cover section, 'the lower-edge of the mirror engages the downwardly inclined portion 22 of this detent, camming the same downwardly and allowing the depressed portion 21 to snap upwardly over the lower edge of the mirror when the mirror is in its fully retracted position. As shown in F ig. 2, when the lower edge of the mirror is engaging in the de pressed portion 21, it is resiliently held against movement in either direction. This is of particular advantage as it prevents the mirror from moving backward and striking` the back wall 12a of the cover section, as well as preventing it from moving forward and striking articles within the vanity case, so that all possibility of breakage of the mirror through dropping or jarring of the vanity case is avoided. l/Vhen it is desired tomove the mirror to a tilted position for convenient use thereof, it is only necessary to depress the projecting end 22 ofthe detent, whereupon` the spring 17 automatically swings the mir` ror outwardly to a tilted position.

I have also provided improved means func` tioning in the nature of stops or detente for predeterinining the angle to which the mirror will be tilted by the spring 17 which stop means, however, is so constructed that the mirror maybe made to assume other tilted angles if desired. These stop members'comprise small spring clips 24 which are secured adjacent the end walls 12b of the cover section so as to engage with the lateral edges of the mirror. As best shown in Fig. 3, each of these clips comprises an attaching portion 25, `preferably secured to the back wall 12a of the cover section. Extending Vfrom the `ends of these attaching portions are short spring portions 26 which are spaced from the end walls 12b of the cover section. Between the attaching portion 25 and the spring portion v26, each clip .is formed with a depressed portion 27 for permitting unrestrained tilting movement of the mirror through :a predetermined angle. The outer 'ends of the spring portions V26 have inwardly turned lips 28 which serve as positive stops for limiting the outward movement of the mirror.

The lateral edges'of the mirror frame 14 may be arranged to contact directly with each of these yielding stop members; or short lugs or projections 29 may be secured to the mirror frame, or formed as an integral part thereof,l so as to project beyond the mirror frame to engage with these stop members.

In the operation of this embodiment, when the holding detent 18 is released, the mirror is automatically swung outwardly to a tilted position through *the4 free movement of the projections 29 in the depressed portions 27 of the stop clips. The engagement of these projections 29 with the inner ends of the spring portions 26 will limit this first outward movement of the mirror to a relatively small tilted angle. If it is desired to dispose the mirror at a more inclined angle, it is only necessary to grasp the edge of the mirror and pull it outwardly, the engagement of the projections 29 along the spring portions 28 of the clips thereafter holding it at its selected angle.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5, 6 'and 7, I have employed the same arrangement of spring pressed mirror with the spring holding detent 18, but have illustrated a modified construction of combined pivot and angle retaining stop for the mirror. In this construction wire springs 31, having a double loop or S-shaped outline, are secured to the rear side of the mirror at each upper edge thereof. These springs are fastened to the mirror by clips 32 which are rigidly looped around the upper ends of the springs at 33 and which have rearwardly deflected guide portions 34 which guide the lower portions ofthe springs. The upperends ofthe springs project beyond the edges of the mirror into holes 35 in plates 36 secured to the end walls of the cover section. The projecting ends of these springs thus serve as pintles'for hingedly supporting the mirror at its upper edge. The lower looped ends `of the springs project laterally from the edges of the mirror as indicated at 37 in Fig. 6, for effecting detent engagement with radially extending slots 38 formed in the adjacent face of the `plate 36.

In the operation of this embodiment, the lower loop 37 of the spring slides upfalong the inclined surface 39 of the plate 36, until the spring snaps into the iirst radial, slot 38. This determines the initial position of the mirror, to which it is urged by the leaf spring 17. If it is desired to 'dispose the mirror at greater angles of inclin-ation, it is only necessary to pull the lower edge of the mirroroutwardly, fas heretofore described, whereupon the looped end 37 of the detent spring will snap into one of the adjacent slots 38"and hold t-he mirror in its desiredposition. The

resiliency of the looped upper end of the spring yieldingly forces the lower projecting portion 37 laterally into engagement with these slots 38.

I do not intend to be limited to the particular details herein shown and described, as it will be obvious that the foregoing is merely an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a vanity case comprising pivotally secured receptacle and closure sections,y a mirror tiltably supported in one of said sections, and means rictionally engaging the edges of said mirror to retainthe mirror in tilted position.

'2. In a vanity case comprising pivoted sections, a mirror tilt-ably mounted in one of said sections, means normally retaining the mirror in retracted position in said section during open and closed position of said sections, means to release the mirror 'from its retracted position, and means operative upon such release to urge said mirror to tilted position.

3. In a vanity case comprising pivoted sections, means -or pivotally mounting a mirror in one of said sections, means for holding said mirror in retracted position on one of said sections during open position of said sections, and means disposed between the mirror and said mirror carrying section and operative to urge said mirror into angular position upon release of said holding means.

4. In a vanity case comprising pivotally connected sections, a mirror tiltably supported in one of said sections, spring means exerting a pressure on said mirror tending to force it into angular position, and means tending to yieldingly arrest the movement of said mirror.

5. In a vanity case comprising pivotal sections, a mirror pivotally mounted in one of said sections, means normally maintaining the mirror in retracted position on said section during open and closed position of said sections, means to release the mirror from its retracted position, means operative upon such release to exert a pressure'on said mirror tending to force it into angular' position, and means limiting the angle of rotation o the mirror.

6. In a vanity case comprising hinged sections, lmeans for tiltably supporting a mirror therein, means exerting a tilting pressure on said mirror, locking means resisting said pressure to hold the mirror in normal position, and means yieldingly resisting the outward swinging movement ofsaid mirror, after said mirror has moved through a predetermined angle.

7 In a vanity case comprising pivoted sections, a mirror, a frame for said mirror, hinge members on said yframe secured to one of said sections, means exerting a tilting pressure on said mirror, locking means resisting said pressure to hold the mirror in normal position, means yieldingly retarding the outward swingmg movement of said mirror, and` of sai-d sections, a frame on said mirror, a K

stop on said frame, means for tilting said mirror, means for locking said mirror in untilted position, and means engaging said stop to retard the tilting of and for limiting Ithe angle of rotationof said mirror.

9. In a vanity case having pivoted sections, a mirror tiltably mounted in one of said sections, and means yieldingly resisting the tilting of said mirror after said mirror has been partially tilted.

l0. In a vanity case having pivoted sections, a mirror tiltably supported in one of said sections, means for automatically tilting said mirror, and means yieldingly resisting the tilting of said mirror after said mirror has been partially tilted.

11. In a vanity case having two pivoted sections, a mirror tiltably supported in one or' said sections, detent means `for holding said mirror in a retracted position during open and closed positions of said sections, and spring means for moving said mirror from its retracted position to a tilted position after the release of sai-d detent means.

12. In a vanity case having pivoted sections, a mirror tiltably supported in one of said sections, spring means operative to move said mirror to a tilted position, and yieldable stop means :tor normally limiting the tilting movement of said mirror under the action of said spring means, said yieldable stop means permitting movement of said mirror to other tilted positions.

13. In a vanity case having pivoted sections, a mirror tiltably supported in one of said sections, an-d means comprising a resilient detent having a depression therein in which said mirror is positioned in retracted position for yieldably holdingL said mirror in spaced relation to its associated section.

In testimony whereof I afiX my signature at l() South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois.

DANIEL A. BRENNAN.

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